We have our work cut out for us in the coming years. The threats to critical affordable and supportive housing programs that serve the poorest households and those with disabilities are real and significant. Become involved in planning the 2018 Congressional Reception!

NJCounts 2018

All twenty-one New Jersey Counties will be counting individuals and families who were homeless – both sheltered and un-sheltered - on the night of Tuesday, January 24, 2018.This annual census is conducted by networks of organizations, agencies and others that plan community efforts to end homelessness and is coordinated by Monarch Housing on the statewide level.

The goal of the second Annual Homeless Sabbath is to engage as many congregations of all faiths to include readings in their service(s) held on December 15th, 16th and 17th, 2017, at their respective house of worship. Click here to register online to participate.

Poverty is a LGBT Youth Issue

Population at Significant Risk for Homelessness & Poverty

“We cannot have a national conversation about poverty without including youth homelessness, and we cannot have a conversation about LGBT issues without addressing poverty and the terrible impact it has on many of our youth. The time has come to start a new conversation. And that will be an enormous step forward toward a future where no youth is forced to sleep on the street because of who he or she is, “ writes Laura Hughes, Executive Director of Detroit’s Ruth Ellis Center.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth make up a significant portion of the homeless youth population. In Detroit, it is estimated that 800 of the 2,000 homeless youth are LGBT.

Using the LGBT youth population that she works with in Detroit as an example, many resort to life on the streets after being kicked out by family or voluntarily choosing to leave their homes. Life on the street is extremely difficult often putting them at risk for depression, suicide, substance abuse and violence.

She writes:

“All these factors — race, recession, unemployment, sexuality and more (including drug use and incarceration rates) are deeply intertwined. The result is a vicious cycle of perpetual poverty for far too many youth in this city.’

Please save the date for this important event and opportunity to delve deeper into the issue of segregation. Registration for the May 16 event to be held at Seton Hall Law School in Newark will begin in early April.